“It Feels Like Home With Her”: ‘Law & Order: SVU’ Star Celebrates Kelli Giddish’s Return

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit wrapped up its twenty-sixth season only days ago — it has already been renewed for another run and is expected to return later this year. As previously reported, the new season will feature the return of fan-favorite Amanda Rollins, portrayed by Kelli Giddish, who exited as a series regular in Season 24 and has recurred since. Her anticipated return to SVU Season 27 will see her as a series regular once again, which co-star Mariska Hargitay recently reacted to, celebrating “an incredibly creative partner.”

Speaking to Deadline while discussing her new documentary, My Mom Jayne, about her mother, Jayne Mansfield, Hargitay, who portrays Captain Olivia Benson in Law & Order: SVU, didn’t hesitate to voice her delight in Giddish’s return. She only had good words for her longtime friend, saying:

“She is a formidable actress and an incredibly creative partner and has been such a joy and a huge part of the fabric of SVU. I love her, and I love acting with her and co-creating with her, and it feels like home with her. So, I am ecstatic about her return.”

Giddish’s SVU character debuted in Season 13 of the NBC procedural and has returned six times in a recurring capacity after her initial exit from the squad. Her comeback involved her weighing in on cases several times, with a heavier presence in Season 26 of the Law & Order spin-off. In the season, fans saw Rollins go from teaching at a college to being promoted to sergeant in the NYPD’s Intelligence division, so we can expect more teamwork between the iconic character and Benson, even without being a member of the Captain’s squad.

‘Law & Order: SVU’ Made More Changes Ahead of Season 27

A few days before Giddish’s return as a series regular in SVU Season 27 was announced, the award-winning series lost two executive producers and writers. One is Julie Martin, who has worked on the show for the past fourteen seasons, while the other is Norberto Barba, who joined the team five seasons ago, but will now only remain as a director. Not to mention, earlier this month, two Law & Order: SVU stars took their leave from the crime drama while a new showrunner was announced for the upcoming Season 27. Juliana Martinez and Octavio Pisano, who portrayed Detective Kate Silva and Detective Joe Velasco, respectively, were the departees, while Michele Fazekas was announced as the new boss, replacing David Graziano and making her the first female showrunner in the show’s history.